Day 15 – Budapest; Time to say Goodbye to the wonderful Viking Team

11 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Amsterdam to Budapest, Budapest, River Cruising, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Uncategorized, Viking River Cruise

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

A Time to Say Goodbye, Australia, Budapest, Classical music, Eastern Europe, Hungary, Jewish Synogogue, Palazzo Zichy, Travel and Tourism

Time to Say Goodbye

The time had come to say our sad goodbyes……

Fifteen or so enchanting days spent river cruising had seemed to pass us by so quickly since that very first and oh so wonderful “Diamond Day”.

Michelle in the Viking Tor Lounge Area

We still clearly remembered the magic of that first morning, when we’d excitedly boarded this extremely new and ultra modern, yet comfortable home-away-from-home, “Viking Tor”.

Viking Tor

Amazingly the past 15 days had flurried by in their own whirly-wind of delicious buffet breakfasts, interesting info-walks, convivial dining room and/or alfresco lunches, rather testing trivia quizzes, classical music concerts, informative cooking demonstrations, extravagant multi-course dinners (made only from the freshest of local produce of course) and an ever-changing kaleidoscope of European adventures and cultural events.

Flower on Viking Tor

We’d been able to explore medieval castles, stunning palaces, ornate cathedrals, timeless, ethereal abbeys, historical cobble-stoned streets. We’d seen some very pretty spring landscapes, engineering marvels (such as the Danube’s modern locks) and, of course, so many different and wonderful countries along with their beautiful picturesque cities and towns.

But sadly yes….now the time had come…. it truly was our TIME TO SAY GOODBYE.

Once again we were filled with a strange churning…. a really mixed-bag-of-emotional feeling.

On the one hand, we were very excited to still have a few days up our sleeve; some time to explore this blossoming city called Budapest in Eastern Europe.

We knew our neighbours back home in Australia had actually come from this area (Budapest and surrounding districts) so many years ago. I was really looking forward to seeing more of their homeland.

We were also looking forward to travelling home ourselves ….well perhaps D.B. was looking forward to this just a tad more than me!

I was really just looking forward to further exploring.

I now realised that Budapest was going to be far more enchanting than I’d initially thought.

We would soon be staying in the Jewish corner of the city, in an area I believed to be a reasonably short distance from transport to and from the central areas of Budapest. We were booked into a charming hotel called the Palazzo Zichy. The Palazzo had actually been rating rather highly in many of the recent tourist reviews. I loved the fact that it already had a wonderful history of its own, having once been called “home” by a very famous nobleman , Count Nándor Zichy, back in the 19^th century.

Inside the Palazzo Zichy, Budapest, Hungary

I was, of course, also looking forward to taking many, many more photos of Budapest by night and also to exploring the Jewish area and synagogue by day.

You know, I am actually most thankful to all of the wonderful age-old religions in this extremely complex world of ours; for I believe they have all added some gems of wisdom to the mix as well as some most amazing architecture to the rich and eclectic fabric of this brilliant, sapphire-blue planet we happen to live on.

The Jewish Synagogue, Budapest, Hungary

For good or bad, I know that many of our life’s experiences are strengthened, for some even perhaps fortified, by the raging and fierce debates. Despite all of these amazing religious dichotomies, I myself believe they continue to speak the same ONE but at times, slightly different language. That is to love and respect one another and care for our world.

Viking Tor Longship Bell

So it was very heavy hearts, that we eventually decided to disembark on this rather sad morning. I believe we were among the last to go.

After a most delicious buffet breakfast and some further exchanging of Email addresses and phone contacts, it truly was our ……. “Time to say Goodbye”.

I think the song below says it so well. And you know, I don’t actually really even know what they are saying, yet I can certainly sense the powerful emotion! It was indeed a sad goodbye.

Spring 2013, Globe Trotting and River Cruising.

Another Viking River Cruise Boat in Budapest, Hungary.

If you love this song as much as I do you may also like to listen to the earlier version which is just below.

Lastly, we would both like to say a very big thank-you to the Viking Team for all of their dedicated care and mindful attention to detail. We absolutely loved this Grand European Tour. We can’t wait to travel with them again.

Day 14 – Budapest; Becoming acquainted with the Main Shopping Precinct.

09 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Amsterdam to Budapest, Budapest, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Uncategorized

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

Budapest, Hungary, Info-walk, Pest, Travel and Tourism, Viking River Cruise

A door studded with Swarovski Crystals in the main city area in Budapest, Hungary.

Just after lunch on day 14 we excitedly joined our ever-obliging young tour guide, Valerie, for the very last info-walk of our Viking holiday. We were going to stroll through the main shopping precinct in Budapest, which is on the flat “Pest” bank of the Danube.

For D.B. and I this was going to be a rather important afternoon stroll, as we took in the various landmarks of the main commercial areas and hastily acquainted ourselves with the new city.

D.B. and I considered ourselves rather lucky, for we still had a further 5 full days ahead of us in which to explore this beautiful city of Budapest, before flying out towards the end of the week. These last two info tours on Day 14 (both the a.m. and p.m. tours) would later prove most beneficial in helping us to identify, and also prioritise, the important areas we would like to return to in the coming days.

Cafe in Budapest, Hungary.

We found the city streets were absolutely bustling. There were little cafes and souvenir shops selling many different traditional Hungarian products and handicrafts. There were many western chain hotels and charming little alfresco establishments. One of my favourite shops in Budapest was a smallish store that sold the most exquisite coloured-crystal glassware. Had I lived closer to Budapest I may well have been tempted to buy some of it. Well maybe just one piece…..as it was quite expensive.

As we explored the main street we saw several pretty young girls dressed in beautifully embroidered Hungarian folk costumes.

Pretty girl in traditional Hungarian costume in Budapest.

Another pretty girl in traditional dress, Budapest, Hungary.

There were also several interesting street performers eking out a living by performing for tourists on Budapest’s streets. All of it of this was of course just wonderful to photograph.

One of the street performers was dressed in a fine silvery witch’s costume. In fact she was painted silver from head to toe and accompanied by a rather fine looking silver cat which also played a part. The witch was particularly intriguing, as she had meticulously refined her rather bewitching characterture. She could really be quite eerie…no make that quite scary to watch.

The silver witch, Budapest, Hungary

One young fellow was trying very hard to encourage his anxious girlfriend to have her photo taken with the wicked old witch but it all seemed more than the young girl could handle….she was just so absolutely terrified by this scary old witch’s persona and her sinister witching movements! The young girl would invariably take two or three steps towards the old witch and then run…obviously terrified back in the direction of her boyfriend. I myself even thought I could hear witch’s gleeful cackle as the young girl ran!

I’m still not sure whether they actually ended up getting that photo or not as our group was again moving on. And you know…..by now this rather sweet but “not so young” Viking River Tourist wasn’t taking any chances of getting lost or even separated from her group again. For more on that story you might like to read my story on Lost in Regensberg!

A Modern Day Fairy Tale

She now always made sure she dutifully followed her Viking River Cruise tour guide! After all she’d already learnt her own scary lesson when she’d got lost in Regensberg just a few short info-walks ago!

Vase at Crystalacarte.com

Budapest city area, Hungary

My love for Budapest (alexamazza.wordpress.com)
Budapest, Hungary (coeycoo.wordpress.com)
Budapest: 5 things I’m looking forward to (ournextsunrise.wordpress.com)
Day 14 – Budapest; A City to Watch in the 21st Century. (kidazzleink.com)

Day 14 – Budapest; A City to Watch in the 21st Century.

06 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Amsterdam to Budapest, Budapest, Hungary, Uncategorized, Viking River Cruise

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

Buda, Budapest, Danube, Fisherman's Bastion, Heroes' Square, Hungarian Parliament Building, Hungary, Matthias Church, Pest

Straddling both sides of the mighty Danube, Budapest, Hungary is currently reported to be one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Europe. It famously combines what were originally two separate cities, namely the green, hilly, castled side of the Danube known as “Buda” on the cities’ West, and the sprawling, flat shopping and suburban plain area known as “Pest” which runs along the East of the Danube.

According to Time Magazine it has already been recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe. Some have even labeled it “Paris of the East”.

Fellow bloggers, Terri and James Vance over at “GALLIVANCE” recently noted that the well respected Condé Nast Traveler magazine had just referenced Budapest as Number 2 in its “Top 25 Cities of the World”, 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards.

You know, I have to admit it….I myself was in no way prepared for the absolute beauty that lay before us as we headed out to explore. I soon found that most areas of old Budapest (pop about 1.8 million) were literally lined with amazingly palatial, architectural, religious and historical gems.

Michelle taking in the beautiful Views from the “Buda” side of Budapest.

Sure there were still areas of the city that were desperately in need of repair work after experiencing their darkest days under the Nazi regime and later as part of the communist bloc in the 20^th century.

But everywhere we went we saw outstandingly intricate and amazingly ornate detail, even on buildings that were still badly in need of repair and renovation. Budapest is a city that was obviously originally built on the very grandest of scales, and….. I’m guessing, in a somewhat similar fashion to the ever enchanting Vienna which of course I happen to love dearly.

Story has it that one famous monarch, namely Queen Elizabeth (often better known as Queen Sissi) of Habsburg Royal Family fame, had in fact taken a quite a personal liking to Budapest. It is believed she chose to spend significant amounts of time in her beloved Hungary whenever she could. It is only personal speculation on my part, but perhaps some of this cities’ wonderful historical finery may actually stem from her private love and early nurture of the young cities growth. I’m not really sure but I could hazard a guess to say that this may well have been the case.

Anyway…finery there was aplenty.

We began our bus tour on the flat “Pest” side of the city, travelling along the beautiful tree-lined avenue known as the Andrássy út which I believe is thought to be very similar to the famous Parisian Champs–Élysées. We journeyed on past the Budapest Opera House and up towards the grand Millennium Memorial in the Heroes’ Square which was completed at the beginning of the 20^th century.

Heroes’ Square Budapest, Hungary.

Palace of Art in Heroes' Square in Budapest, Hungary.

Palace of Art in Heroes’ Square, Budapest, Hungary.

Later we journeyed through the old Jewish Quarter and then along past the famous Budapest Market Place before actually crossing the Danube to explore the “Buda” side of the city. From there we traveled on past the vernacular leading up to the Grand Budapest Castle sitting atop Castle Hill.

Buda Castle in Budapest.

We were all rather eager to spend some time exploring the eclectic architectural mix of the area with its old historical Matthias Church (also sometimes known as the Church of Our Lady), The Fisherman’s Bastion, The St Stephen Monument and so much more.

Exterior of Matthias Church

Beautiful detailed interior of Beautiful detailed interior of the Matthias Church, Budapest.

More of the wonderful detail inside the Matthias Church in Budapest.

Last photo showing the interior of Matthias Church, Budapest.

We were totally mesmerized by the views from up on top. We could see such a long way…right up along the Danube and way out over the “Pest” plains to the East.

Holy Trinity Column, Fisherman’s Bastion area in Budapest.

And of course there were also the absolutely breathtaking views of the stately Hungarian Parliament Building that had been constructed in the late 19^th century. From the Fisherman’s Bastion you can see it in all of its Neo-Gothic Majesty as it rises up from the Eastern Bank of the Danube. I’ve read that it houses some 691 rooms and over 20 kilometers of stairs….how amazing!

Oh what a wonderful Vista it was.

But wait. I’m told Budapest has actually one more claim to fame and that is as the “City of Beautiful Panoramas”…..and for very good reason I would suggest.

View from the Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest.

With so much to offer, I truly believe that Budapest will definitely be the city to watch in the 21^st century. It will undoubtedly continue to gather momentum as it undergoes further refurbishment and repair. I believe it could well reclaim its former title as one of the world’s grandest cities. It is already becoming one of Europe’s most well loved.

Parliament House, Budapest.

Statue of St Gerard on Gellert Hill Budapest

Fruit cocktails and delicious pastries, Fisherman’s Bastion area, Budapest.

Spring Planting, Budapest, Hungary.

Budapest – I’m Hungary, where’s the goulash? (markmeltonblog.com)
A View From the Top: Budapest’s Castle Hill (gallivance.net)
Lace Ladies of Budapest (gallivance.net)
Budapest for you (circleme.com)
Summary: What I know about Hungary now (alicemywonderland.wordpress.com)
Stunning Budapest in Timelapse (ireport.cnn.com)
Day 13 – Budapest; Like a Fairy Tale Kingdom after Dark (kidazzleink.com)

Day 13 – Bratislava; The City of Fun.

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Amsterdam to Budapest, Art, Bratislava, Slavakia, Uncategorized, Viking River Cruise

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

A City of Fun, Bratislava, Carpathian Mountain, Central Europe, Danube, Pressburg, Schoolies, Slovakia

A City of Fun. Bratislava.

I thought I was going to be the first to call it this….but NO…evidently not so.

Bratislava in Slovakia (Pop about 470,000) has actually been labeled the “City Of Fun” by several others in the past, and long before our visit in the Spring of 2013 (well this is what I’ve recently read on the almighty Google network anyway).

Bratislava Castle, Slovakia on a warm hazy day.

Mind you it’s really not at all surprising that others have also graced it with this name. With its oh-so-charmingly comical elements and its deeply embedded sense of humour, this tag just seems to be a rather perfect fit somehow. I believe it describes modern day Bratislava remarkably well. And after our early info-walk around the old town area, on what was now Day 13 of our wonderful river cruise, this was precisely the catch phrase that had begun to echo in my brain as we’d soaked up the cities new contemporary atmosphere.

Bratislava Slovakia, a city with a sense of fun.

Bratislava Slovakia, so enjoyed this playful City.

More of Bratislava the city with a sense of Fun.

More of Bratislava the city with a wonderful atmosphere of Fun.

However, I should probably also add, our visit just happened to coincide with a sort of “Schoolies” day in the city. Many of Bratislava’s final year High School students were out and about, wandering the old town areas, looking to create some mischief of their own and having, what looked like, a jolly good time.

Schoolies in Bratislava, Slovakia, 2013.

They were obviously fund raising…..trying to collect donations (more precious penny treasure from we, the impoverished river cruise tourists, who had already given all of our carefully saved pennies away to the wonderful Viking Company LOL– see my post “Lost in Regensberg” for more about how our personal penny treasure had already disappeared).

More Penny Treasure

Schoolie funds raised would soon be put towards their own after dark celebrations that evening. These, we were told, would begin just after sun-down that same evening. As the moon began to rise and the sun began to set and sink behind the old city horizon, the young were obviously about to put on their new shoes and party like they’d never done before!

By then it would be time for all self-respecting Viking River Cruise Tourists to be sailing on!

Moon Rising, Schoolies Party Time, Bratislava, Slovakia.

Well I guess many people would have cringed at the thought of having a bunch of rowdy, out-of-control Schoolies partying all around on the streets as they explored a new city, but actually ….this was NOT the case at all. These excited young people appeared to be quite well-behaved albeit VERY VERY boisterous, VERY VERY happy and VERY VERY noisy. I found it a most convivial atmosphere and I believe it actually added to, rather than subtracted from, our morning visit to this wonderful mid-sized city.

Day 13 - Viking River Cruise, Bratislava, Slovakia.

Day 13 – Viking River Cruise Info-Walk Morning, Bratislava, Slovakia.

Geographically, Bratislava, Slavakia is close by the Carpathian Mountain range of Central Europe. According to Wikipedia, it occupies the Southwestern corner of the new nation. Sprawling around the Danube, the little Danube and the Morava River. It is actually renowned as the only independent National Capital to border two independent countries….namely Austria and Hungary.

View of the Danube and surrounding Mountains from Bratislava Castle,Slovakia.

Indeed at one time in this cities’ early history (1526 -1867) Bratislavia had been the grand capital of the Kingdom of Hungary and part of the larger Habsburg Family ruled territories. At that time it had been called Pressburg (1536-1783).

Post World War 1 it became part of the new nation of Czechoslovakia.

Post World War 2 it was forced into a far more serious chapter in history when it became part of the organised communist block of countries. Bratslavia then remained oppressed, socialist and centrally ruled for near on 5 decades until, in early 1993, it is described as undergoing the “Velvet Divorce” from these restrictive socialist ties.

The separation heralded in a whole new era as Bratislava became part of the new Republic of Slovakia.

A city with heart, Bratislava, Slovakia.

A city with a new heart, Bratislava, Slovakia.

Perhaps it is because of, or indeed perhaps it is in spite of….. all those years of strict control (I’m not actually sure which), but Bratislava today exudes the most wonderful sense of humour.

While the city was largely refurbished in the late 20^th century, its historical town centre remains fairly intact. But wherever you go, wherever you look as you wander the city’s streets today, there’s evidence of so many new and lighter, one could even say, more whimsical touches. They all add to the cities new and cheerful atmosphere. As you can see from my photos, modern Bratislava is indeed a most wonderful experience…..a city just brimful of fun. Today it could easily become a new centre for the arts.

The longest legs I’ve ever seen, Bratislava, Slovakia.

A family of hedgehogs in the Market Square, Bratislavia, Slovakia.

A rather sweet little family of hedgehogs in the Market Square, Bratislavia, Slovakia.

Ice Creams Bratislava, Slovakia.

Pretty Flower Box, Bratislava, Sovakia.

For more informative reflections on Bratislavia, Slovakia you might like to read these wonderful posts from Terri and James Vance at Gallivance on WordPress:

http://gallivance.net/2013/11/04/bratislavas-hidden-gems/

http://gallivance.net/2013/10/28/bratislava-a-delightful-chance-to-recharge-the-batteries/

http://gallivance.net/2013/11/02/bratislava-its-all-in-the-details/

Day 12 – Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna.

22 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Amsterdam to Budapest, Austria, Schonbrunn Palace, Uncategorized, Vienna

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Austria, Baroque, Gloriette, House of Habsburg, Like a Fairy Tale, Rococo, Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

Schonbronn Palace,Vienna

Less than one hundred years ago, Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna had been the enormous Summer Residence of the Imperial Habsburg Family.

The Habsburgs had ruled over an extensive Austrian/Hungarian Empire for several hundred years. Many generations of reigning Habsburgs had gone about their daily life inside this Enormous Palace. They had called it home from about the 17^th right through to the early 20^th Century. Every Summer they’d returned to open up both the family residential rooms and the stately Imperial Rooms. Amazingly there were over 1,400 rooms in all. This video below will give you a great overview of this enchanting palace in all its glory.

So on the afternoon of Day 12 of our river cruise, we were rather excited to be heading off for yet another afternoon of exploration…we would be spending some time wandering this spellbinding castle and its absolutely magical grounds. During this time we’d have opportunity to view both the internal rooms and the historically prized formal gardens.

To say Schonbrunn is architecturally ornate would be an understatement. It was rich, it was lavish and there had obviously been no expense spared during its creation.

It’s beautiful Baroque Exterior gives way to all the glorious detail contained in its royal Rococo Interior decor. It was truly just like a fairy tale palace and so befitting the King and Queen of this large and strictly ruled European empire.

But by 1919, the end of World War 1, ownership of Schonbrunn Palace was finally transferred from the royal family to the new Austrian Republic that had just come into power.

Today Schonbrunn Palace mainly serves as a tourist destination. Some 2,000,000 people are said to visit this popular sightseeing area every year. They come from all around the globe to view its beautiful finery and learn more about its history.

The sheer size of Schonbrunn is almost unbelievable. Who among us would ever have lived in a home of such grand proportions? Most certainly not D.B. or I.

Along with its 1441 rooms, there were also many acres of beautiful statued formal gardens, a most impressive Gloriette which offers absolutely enchanting views over the palace, a zoo and even an enormous palm house for exotics.

Garden statues, Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna

We spent over 2 hours viewing the stunning interior and the gardens but it was most certainly not enough. I personally could easily have spent the whole day there. WOW what another amazing place…it was just like stepping into your very own Fairy Tale.

More of Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nZ1QCktfgw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3UQaKJFcgQ

Day 12 – Vienna; City of Enchantment, My City of Dreams. (kidazzleink.com)
The Schönbrunn Palace (epehota.wordpress.com)
October 19th, 2013: Day 6 – Spanish Riding School (genevaandvienna.wordpress.com)

Day 12 – Vienna; City of Enchantment, My City of Dreams.

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Amsterdam to Budapest, Austria, River Cruising, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Uncategorized, Viking River Cruise

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

Austria, Hofburg, Love, Schonbrunn, Spanish Riding School, St. Stephen's Cathedral Vienna, Vienna

My favourite, a Global City of Enchantment, Vienna.

If you think Mozart, or Strauss, Freud or Adler, Buber or Wagner, Zinnemann or Menger…… if you think any of these great people, well of course…. you’re probably thinking pure Vienna. So many astoundingly gifted minds of the 20^th century were either born in, or lived close by Vienna.

Vienna, Beautiful Imperia Architecture.

From music, to philosophy, from architecture to psychiatry, from 20^th century film direction to pure mathematical tables, this magical city has been called home by many of the world’s greatest thinkers in all areas of human endeavour.

Classical Buildings

It’s operas, universities, theatres, and cultural pursuits have continued to be at the cutting edge of human endeavour over the past couple of centuries.

Culturally, aesthetically and academically, Vienna has always been at the forefront of visionary thought and cultural advancement.

Personally I just simply continue to love everything about Vienna.

Grand Vista’s, Vienna.

Ask me why….and sadly I won’t be able to tell you. Perhaps it is buried deep within my early inner layers, or maybe even perhaps behind a past life’s door!

But one thing I can tell you for sure, I’ve been mesmerized by Vienna for far longer than I care to remember….for some reason it has always held a strange romantic appeal which I believe must have seeded in childhood, if not, perhaps a long time before!

Just as the diamond sparkles and radiates its crystal inner beauty, so too does Vienna radiate its mesmerizing and spellbinding magical aura for me…and in the most enchanting of ways. Yes everything Viennese continues to attract and even intrigue me…..right down inside my own secluded inner core.

Promoting the arts in Vienna, 2013.

It was now day 12 of our wonderful river cruise and for the first time in my life we were able to tour this most enchanting of cities…..first by bus, then later by foot.

The architecture was everything I thought it would be. I’d heard so much about it. Some people love it… some dislike it’s grand decore.

Yes it’s so very ornate, so decorative and so classically imperial. There’s the early Romanesque, the Gothic, the captivatingly, beautiful Baroque and the oh-so-pretty Rococo. And of course as well there’s the ultra modern, architecturally pleasant modern contemporary.

I was most certainly not disappointed by the short few hours we had there. I only wish there had been more. I REALLY THINK AN OVERNIGHT STAY in Vienna and a SECOND DAY of sightseeing in this Imperial City would have been so very wonderful.

More of Vienna's architectural lovelyness.

More of Vienna’s architectural loveliness.

Dearly Beloved (D.B.) probably still doesn’t fully understand my par amour and neither do I in fact.

But we had a lovely day. We saw the sprawling, majestic palaces such as The Hofburg or Imperial Palace, The Belvedere Palace and Schonnbrunn Palace.

The Magical Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna.

There were so many ornately detailed stately buildings such as the famous Vienna Opera House, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, The Natural History Museum, the Albertina Museum, The Parliament Building and the Seccession Building and of course the classical Rathaus.

There were the beautiful Gothic and Baroque churches interwoven through the streets of the city center; architectural marvels such as St Stephen’s Cathedral, St Peters and St Charles along with many other wonderful kirche.

St Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna.

Then of course there were also the many many highly decorative statues and the neo-classical fountains scattered throughout the city.

Ornate statue, Vienna.

A real highlight of Vienna that continues to add immensely to it’s captivating imperial enchantment is of course, its beautiful horses.

Beautiful Horses, Vienna.

The Spanish Riding School in the centre of Vienna houses the most exquisitely trained Lipizzan dressage horses. These beautiful animals regularly entertain the public with morning performances. If you would like to experience some even more personal equine adventures, there are also the captivating horse and carriage tours that can also be hired to transport you in style as you take a look around the this lovely city.

More of Vienna’s beautiful horses.

Vienna is such a timelessly beautiful city.

I do so LOVE..yes truly LOVE LOVE LOVE it all…

So much so I often tell D.B. to just look for me in Vienna if I decide to go on a little personal sojurn.

Promoting music and the arts in modern Vienna.

Shop front, Vienna Style.

Contemporary architecture, Vienna.

More of Classical Vienna.

: A different angle St Stephen’s Vienna.

One last photo of beautiful Vienna.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7iclRWuGgA

Set-jetting in Vienna (brandsandfilms.com)
Wien – Vienne – Vienna! (usaustria.wordpress.com)
Happily ever Vienna (australiantimes.co.uk)

Day 11 – Krems; Wandering the old Cobblestone Streets

15 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Amsterdam to Budapest, Austria, Krems, River Cruising, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Uncategorized

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

Cobble Stone Streets, Flowering Horse Chestnuts, Krems, Melk Abbey, St Vitus Church, UNESCO, Wachau Valley, Wisteria

Magnificent Melk Abbey, Austria.

After a wonderful morning spent exploring the magnificent Melk Abbey D.B. and I had walked down from the hill overlooking the little township and then back towards the river through the little shopping precinct. We had stopped to browse and buy a couple of souvenirs along the way.

Melk Abbey sits on a rocky outcrop in Austria.

Soon back on board our longship, the Viking Tor, we set sail towards Vienna in the early afternoon. We were now passing through the emerald green landscape of the UNESCO protected Wachau Valley.

Emerald Green Wachau Valley, Austria.

The valley itself is famous for its rolling hills, old monasteries, castle ruins and fertile grape growing soils. We spent much of the early afternoon just relaxing on the lovely glassed-in aquavit terrace of our riverboat, enjoying the scenery of this wonderful picturesque countryside as we sampled a glass or two of the local produce.

Viking Tor tied up at Krems, Austria.

By about mid-afternoon we’d tied up in a little riverside township called Krems (population about 23,000).

Krems, Austria.

Dearly beloved D.B. and I decided we’d like to do a little bit of exploring on our own this time rather than joining the optional winery tour group.

Spotting a smart little red and green sightseeing train, we thought we might be able to get some bearings on this little place by boarding it for a short tour around the small township. Unfortunately it was already 4.00 p.m. and the train was in fact returning from its final run for the day. D.B. decided to have a bit of a chat to the rather friendly local train driver while I encouraged them both to pose for the camera. D.B. being in a teaching frame of mind, decided to give the friendly local train driver some good old Aussie lessons on how to signal a thumbs up! It made for a fun photo anyway.

Red and Green Sightseeing Train, Krems, Austria.

D.B. and I then continued on our way, exploring the beautiful old cobblestone streets in pretty little Krems on foot.

As we wandered around we saw;

The cobblestoned streets of the old town area.

Some long avenues of flowering horse chestnut trees.

A most beautiful rambling wisteria.

The Pfarrkirche or Parish Church of St Vitus.

The Dreifaltigkeitssaule or Holy Trinity Column dating from 1738.

A delightful old vine-covered building.

Nicely renovated little frontages to very old homes with showy little flower boxes to attract attention.

And lastly some beautiful purple bearded iris.

After about an hour or two spent just wandering we ambled back to the comfort of our ever comfortable floating hotel for yet another sumptuous dinner. Life on board was so relaxed and carefree. Not even a bed to make come morning. D.B. and I just wish we had someone to spoil us like this all the time!

Dining Room onboard Viking Tor.

Here are some video links to see more of the beautiful Golden Wachau Valley and Krems:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1qJDBTxFj8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4sD6IjgH4k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_1yGmvcDZk

Day 11 – Melk; And a Most Magnificent Benedictine Abbey. (kidazzleink.com)
Melk Abbey Infinite (likeitiz.wordpress.com)
https://www.pinterest.com/aleksandralukac/a-u-s-t-r-i-a/

Day 11 – Melk; And a Most Magnificent Benedictine Abbey.

13 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Amsterdam to Budapest, Austria, Melk Abbey, River Cruising, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Uncategorized, Viking River Cruise

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

Austria, Christian, Historical treasure, Magnificent Grandeur, Melk, Melk Abbey, Order of Saint Benedict, Photography

Melk Abbey, Austria.

We awoke early on Day 11 to find ourselves travelling through magical Austria

It was akin to a good dream … one that comes back just to bless you a second time!

This was now our second visit to an absolutely captivating country.

After all, we had already explored a little of the Salzburg Provence just three short weeks ago before even boarding our Longship Tor on this amazingly wonderful river Cruise.

For those of you who have been travelling with us, you will know I’d already fallen in love with the wonderfully mesmerizing blues and greens of the Austrian landscape. I’d been totally drawn in by our sightseeing around this wonderful country and its glorious snow capped alps, beautiful alpine spa regions and pristine lakes districts. You may or may not recall that this had been one of initial destinations earlier on in this, “Our Grand European Sojourn” in the Spring of 2013.

Docking in the little town of Melk (Population approx 5,000), D.B. and I were soon busing our way up to the rocky outcrop at the top of the hill which overlooks the small township. Indeed, we were off to see the magnificent Melk Abbey in all its historical monastic glory. Belonging to the Benedictine monks, Melk Abbey is just simply brim full of the most incredibly ornate historical treasures. It was truly another of those most notable and stand out sightseeing ventures of our holiday.

Exterior of Melk Abbey, Austria

Do watch this video below if you would prefer a night time view of the Magnificent Abbey.

Initially built in the 10^th century A.D. as a castle and home for King Leopold 1, it was later gifted in around the 11^th century to the Benedictine order of monks by King Leopold 2. Melk Abbey has been home to the Benedictines ever since.

However as we well know, the course of history rarely runs smoothly. Much of the original castle section of the abbey burnt to the ground in the 13^th century. Different smaller sections were rebuilt in centuries following. By about the 15^th century it housed the most remarkable library and scriptitorium. The churches often controlled the printed word at this time and held huge collections of books.

Library, Melk Abbey, Austria

It was much much later…….. in around the 18^th century that another rebuild and further remodeling saw it establish its current magnificent baroque style.

Today, tourists continue to travel from all around the world to visit the tiny little township called Melk; most come so they can visit and view this truly remarkable abbey. Housing a very eclectic monastic mix of the most wonderfully guilded treasures from throughout Benedictine religious history, Melk Abbey continues to be a drawcard for both Christians and non-Christians alike. There is just so much opulence….and so much grandeur……..at times sensory overload but oh so ….WELL YES ….MAGNIFICENT.

The Painted Ceilings, Melk Abbey, Austria.

Once again as one area led on to the next and then to the next……. each seemed to surpass the other for both its storehouse of treasures and its magnificent architectural features. Truly again all D.B. and I could say was WOW, WOW, WOW and WOW!! What a truly amazing place.

Opulant historical treasures, Melk Abbey, Austria

The splendid staircase, Melk Abbey, Austria.

The Chapel, Melk Abbey, Austria

The Summerhouse, Melk Abbey, Austria.

The Township of Melk, Austria.

And for those of you who are really interested in the absolutely magnificent Melk Abbey please also check out these links as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmAaoEu9wf4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs5IeBbID60

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SUuKrwVs_Y

Day 10 – Passau; Love Heart Banners strung across Cobblestone Streets

08 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Amsterdam to Budapest, Art, Germany, Passau, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Uncategorized, Viking River Cruise

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

Art, Banners, Cheerful, Collage, Germany, Love hearts, Passau, Viking

Love heart banner, Passau Germany 2013 #1

During the morning info-walk on Day 10 of our river cruise, we saw a wonderful array of large colourful love heart collages strung high above the cobblestone streets in the city centre of Passau.

I have posted some in this blog. But this is really only a smallish sample of them. They added such a cheerful quality to this already picturesque little township. I’m not sure why they were there in the early Spring of this year or even if they are still there. Although I do doubt they would have survived the devastation caused by all of the rain and flooding that occurred just one short month later. If anyone does happen to know the reason behind them I’d really love to hear from you.

Love heart banner, Passau Germany 2013 #2

Love heart banner, Passau Germany 2013 #3

Love heart banner, Passau Germany 2013 #4

Love heart banner, Passau Germany 2013 #5

Love heart banner, Passau Germany 2013 #6

Love heart banner, Passau Germany 2013 #7

Love heart banner, Passau Germany 2013 #8

Love heart banner, Passau Germany 2013 #9

Love heart banner, Passau Germany 2013 #10

Love heart banner, Passau Germany 2013 #11

Love heart banner, Passau Germany 2013 #12

I’ve also added a link to a Youtube video on Passau at the top of this blog and I pasted again here for anyone who would like to view it. Just click on the video to watch it.

Day 10 – Picturesque Passau; A Township on 3 Rivers (kidazzleink.com)
Photo Of The Day: Meeting Of The Waters In Passau (gadling.com)
‘Dramatic’ flooding in Passau (timesofmalta.com)

Day 10 – Picturesque Passau; A Township on 3 Rivers

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Amsterdam to Budapest, Germany, Passau, River Cruising, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Uncategorized, Viking River Cruise

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

3 Rivers, Austria, Czech Republic, Danube, Germany, Ilz, Inn, Passau, St Stephen's

Beautiful Interior, St Stephen’s Passau, Germany

How could this be I had to ask? We did still have one more day in Germany after all. I’d thought Passau was in Austria but no…I find it’s actually in Germany but sitting right on the border between the two countries. It’s also only about 30klms away from the border of the Czech Republic.

Sailing down the Danube to

So with yet one more day in Germany, we were soon off to explore lovely Picturesque Passau (Pop approx 50,000), which sits rather poetically on the confluence of three rivers – The Ilz, The Inn and The Danube.

It’s also sometimes referred to in German as the Drieflussestadt which translates to “the Town of 3 rivers” and at other times as “Barvaria’s Venice”.

View from high on the hill overlooking the confluence of the 3 rivers, Passau, Germany

Another photo of the beautiful view in Passau, Germany

Veste Orberhaus, Fortrees on the Hill, Passau, Germany

Veste Orberhaus, Fortress on the Hill, Passau, Germany

We’d decided to catch a little sightseeing bus and travel up to the top of the hill behind Passau in order to take in it’s picture perfect views. Needless to say there were watery vistas everywhere below…..indeed such a pretty little place.

Our bus driver was talking to all of the other passengers on board in German; hence we couldn’t understand a word he was saying for most of the journey. Many on board actually seemed to be participating in a little Trivia Quiz and some were even winning little prizes for their correct responses.

Then all of a sudden, the bus driver turned to us and directed a question in English.

“Passau is famous for its three rivers,” he said. “Can you tell me the names of all three?”

Well thankfully I’d actually read the little news letter delivered to our stateroom the evening before just as I always did. And I think I must have read it far more carefully than Dearly Beloved (D.B.) for I quickly rattled off my response ….”The Ilz, The Inn and The Danube,” I replied with quite some pride in my newly acquired knowledge.

Interesting doorway Passau, Germany.

“Wonderful,” replied our rather friendly bus driver. “You have won yourself this little voucher for some cake and coffee at a little café in Passau. I will show you where to go when we get back down into the town.”Indeed, I was quite excited by all of this! I’d actually won something.

Passau township, Germany

But as you are probably aware, the rivers of Passau have also caused its Town-folk much grief at various times throughout history. Sodden and waterlogged as it was yet again early in June this year (and just one short month after our own visit). Record high floods had again triggered a massive cleanup to remove all of the smelly mud and silt from the cities roads and buildings as the water receded. If you have time, you might like to click on the video links below and take a closer look at the havoc it caused.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TueW2wD3RWo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRiiBtZ7FtY

Of the 50,000 inhabitants of Passau, 10,000 of them evidently include a revolving residency of students who attend the Passau universities. As such, this lovely little Town does have a rather youngish feel to it. There were love heart banners across its streets and young people out and about just enjoying the sunny day.

Yellow Rose display, Passau, Germany

According to Wikipedia, Passau was first settled by some displaced Roman tribes way back in about the 2^nd century A.D. Later, it was called home by the “Batavi” an old German tribe. By the 8^th century it had become the largest dioceses of the Holy Roman Empire.

Door on St Stephen’s Passau, Germany

St Stephen’s Passau, Germany

Detail inside St Stephen’s Passau, Germany.

One part of the organ, St Stephen’s Passau, Germany

Gold statue, St Stephen’s Passau, Germany.

More Statues inside St stephen's Pasau, Germany

More Statues inside St Stephen’s Passau, Germany

More detail, St Stephen’s, Passau, Germany

Last photo, St Stephen’s Passau, Germany.

For us, today’s wonderful little sightseeing gems included the Alstadt (Old Town area) and the majestic, Gothic and Baroque St Stephen’s Cathedral, which was built in about the 17^th century A.D. With its beautiful white interior and its Carpoforo Tencalla, Ceiling Frescos, St Stephen’s is truly a stand out piece of architecture. The cathedral houses eight bells and lays claim to the largest organ in the world outside of the United States of America. We were lucky enough to hear it play as we were treated to an organ concert at the end of the morning’s info-walk. Just wonderful…….and yes yet another interesting and enjoyable day. But this one really was our last in Germany!